Cambridge Crime Rate February 2025 | Monthly Statistics

Cambridge's crime rate in February 2025 stood at 6.5 per 1,000, placing it 3.0% below the UK average of 6.7 per 1,000. This figure reflects a combination of seasonal factors and the city's unique demographic profile. The top three crime categories—violence and sexual offences (26% of total), shoplifting (18.8%), and anti-social behaviour (14.6%)—highlight a mix of persistent challenges and localized trends. Violence and sexual offences, though below the UK average by 28%, remain a significant concern, particularly in areas with high student populations. Shoplifting's dominance in the crime mix aligns with Cambridge's role as a retail and academic hub, where high foot traffic and transient populations may contribute to the issue. Anti-social behaviour, while lower than the UK average, suggests that community-oriented policing and public space management have had a measurable impact. The seasonal context of February—a winter month with low outdoor activity—may have contributed to the relatively lower rates of outdoor crimes such as vehicle crime and burglary. However, the persistence of high shoplifting rates indicates that retail security remains a critical focus area. The city's overall crime profile, shaped by its academic and commercial character, underscores the need for targeted interventions that balance the demands of a dynamic urban environment with the safety expectations of its residents.

February 2025 saw a sharp 116.7% increase in theft from the person, rising from 12 to 26 incidents. This spike, though modest in absolute terms, signals a shift in crime patterns that may reflect increased foot traffic during pre-spring events or targeted opportunistic theft. Conversely, bicycle theft fell by 33.3% from 111 to 74, a decline that could be linked to heightened awareness campaigns or improved security measures in university precincts. The breakdown of crime types reveals stark contrasts with national averages: shoplifting in Cambridge is 94% above the UK rate, a figure that may be driven by the city's high concentration of retail outlets and student populations. Anti-social behaviour, however, is 7% below the UK average, a trend consistent with Cambridge's generally orderly public spaces and robust community engagement initiatives. Violent crime rates in the area are 28% below the UK average, a statistic that may partly explain the city's reputation as a relatively safe academic environment.

Cambridge's crime rate in February 2025 fell by 10.2% compared to January's 7.2 per 1,000, marking the lowest monthly rate in over a year. This decline aligns with the seasonal context of February, a winter month typically marked by reduced outdoor activity and a pre-spring lull in social events. On a daily basis, the area experienced an average of 43 crimes per day, a figure that, while consistent with Cambridge's urban density, remains below the UK average for comparable built-up areas. Over the course of the month, one reported crime occurred for roughly every 155 residents, a monthly exposure rate that suggests the local population faces a relatively low risk of encountering crime compared to national benchmarks. The population context further illustrates that Cambridge's 187,642 residents are spread across a mix of academic, residential, and commercial zones, which may contribute to the uneven distribution of crime types. For instance, the high rate of bicycle theft—700% above the UK average—could be attributed to the city's prominence as a university hub, where cycling is a primary mode of transport.